The psychology of prayer : a scientific approach / Bernard Spilka, Kevin L. Ladd.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Spilka, Bernard, 1926-

Contributor:

Ladd, Kevin L.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Prayer--Psychology.

Prayer.

Prayers.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (242 p.)

Place of Publication:

New York : Guilford Press, 2012.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Reviewing the growing body of scientific research on prayer, this book describes what is known about the behavioral, cognitive, emotional, developmental, and health aspects of this important religious activity. The highly regarded authors provide a balanced perspective on what prayer means to the individual, how and when it is practiced, and the impact it has in people's lives. Clinically relevant topics include connections among prayer, coping, and adjustment, as well as controversial questions of whether prayer (for oneself or another) can be beneficial to health. The strengths and l

Contents:

Cover; Front Matter; Series Page; Title Page; Copyright; Dedication; About the Authors; Preface; Acknowledgments; Contents; 1

Introduction to the Scientific Study of Prayer; Some Basics; Relations between Religion and Psychology; Psychology as a Science: An Understanding; The Definition of Prayer; The Content and Expression of Prayer; The Need for Theory; Summary; 2

Prayer in Psychological Perspective; The Cognitive Perspective; The Motivational Perspective; The Neuropsychological Perspective; The Social-Psychological Perspective; Summary; 3

The Many Faces of Prayer: Multidimensionality

Why Multidimensionality?Which Multidimensionality?; Grounding Multidimensionality; Theoretical Forms of Prayer; Jungian Theory and Prayer; The Empirical Demonstration of Multidimensionality; Prayer Forms: Their Meaning and Ramifications; Summary; 4

The Individual's Development of Prayer; Prayer in Childhood; Prayer in Adolescence; Prayer in Adulthood; Summary; 5

Prayer in Coping and Adjustment; Prayer, Coping, and Control; Prayer, Life Satisfaction, and Well-Being; Life Satisfaction and the Multiform Nature of Prayer; Age, Prayer, and Well-Being

Coping with Stress: Prayer, Personality, and Mental HealthPrayer as Therapeutic; The Role of Prayer in Romantic Relationships, Marriage, and Family; Summary; 6

Prayer and Health; Prayer and Health : A Conflicted Area; How Might Prayer Influence Health?; Orientations to Praying for Health; Why Should Prayer Be Beneficial for Health?; Research on Prayer and Health; Other Research on Prayer and Health; A Possible Negative Influence of Prayer; Summary; 7

Intercessory Prayer; Some Research Issues; Early Research Efforts; IP and Cardiac Patients: Getting Serious about IP Research

IP Research on Other PatientsComments and Critiques; Summary; 8

Concluding Perspectives and Possibilities; Evaluation Issues; Applying Science to Prayer; Design and Analysis Considerations and Questions; Summary; References; Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-283-59831-0

9786613910769

1-4625-0713-1

OCLC:

812925865